in relation to: Australia’s national emergency powers in the event of a major national animal disease; compensation for property destroyed and a new offence for commercial smuggling, with increased pecuniary penalties applicable to individuals and corporations.

in relation to gifting of assets by introducing a free area of $25 000, over and above already deprived assets, that will apply over a rolling 5-year period and will operate concurrently with the current $10 000 per year free area. Gifts in excess of this $25 000 free area within the 5 years will be assessed as a deprived asset for 5 years. Also changes the applicable period from a pension year to a financial year. The new rules will apply from 1 July 2002.

to introduce the first child tax refund (baby bonus) which provides for a refundable tax offset, of a minimum of $500 and up to $2 500 per annum, for a maximum period of 5 years, for parents following the birth, adoption or legal guardianship of a child on or after 1 July 2001.

in relation to: appointment, terms of office and eligibility for election of certain statutory office holders of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC); consistency of terminology and practice with the Commonwealth Accrual-Based Outcomes and Outputs Framework; clarification and enhancement of ATSIC’s internal review process; and access to appeal and review processes through the Administrative Review Tribunal. Also contains transitional provisions.

to enable Australia to ratify the 1996 Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children.